Brent Tohiariki
Brent Tohiariki
Academic Qualifications: Master’s degree in Māori and Indigenous Leadership (Distinction) 2024, Canterbury University Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Psychotherapeutic Approaches, 2009, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Post Graduate Diploma Mental Health Sciences endorsed in Interpersonal Psychotherapy, 2007, Otago University Post Graduate Certificate in Motivating Behavioural Change, 2006, Canterbury University Certificate in Adult Teaching, 2004, Christchurch College of Education Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy, 2001, Gestalt Institute of New Zealand, (GINZ) Certificate in the interface between Psychotherapy and Psychiatry, 2001, Gestalt Association of New Zealand (GANZ) Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counselling Kaupapa Māori,1996, Central Institute of Technology (CIT) Certificate in Community Psychiatric Care,1993, Canterbury University
Availability
Available
Service Locations
Christchurch City, Telehealth
Travel Information
n/a
Kia ora, I'm Tohi.
I am a Māori psychotherapist, professional supervisor, and ACC cultural support adviser based in Christchurch. My passion is supporting people to navigate challenges, reconnect with their strengths, and move towards lives that feel meaningful and fulfilling.
My work brings together clinical expertise, cultural understanding, and a deep respect for each person's unique story. Whether I am supporting someone through ACC, providing psychotherapy, or offering professional supervision, I aim to create a space where people feel heard, respected, and understood.
I work with individuals, whānau, and professionals across a range of areas including trauma, mental health, addiction, recovery, cultural identity, and personal growth. I believe healing and development occur through connection, reflection, and building on the strengths that people already possess.
As a supervisor, I support practitioners to think critically, practise ethically, and develop confidence in working across both clinical and cultural contexts. As an ACC cultural adviser, I help ensure services are responsive to the cultural needs and aspirations of Māori and support individuals to engage with recovery in ways that align with who they are and where they come from.
My approach is warm, practical, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that people already carry within them many of the resources needed for growth and healing.
Areas of Service
ACC Cultural Support and Cultural Advising
Psychotherapy
Professional Supervision (Clinical and Cultural)
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Trauma Recovery
Addiction and AOD Support
Māori Health and Wellbeing
Cultural Consultation
Workforce Development and Reflective Practice
Associated Services
ACC Cultural Advisors
South Coast Psychology values diversity and therefore we seek cultural supervision and advice. Our Cultural Advisors support kiritaki by helping ensure services are culturally safe, respectful, and responsive to their values, identity, and whānau context.
ACC Sensitive Claims Services
Through the ACC Sensitive Claims Service we offer fully funded support, treatment and assessment services for survivors of sexual abuse or assault. Our Named Service Providers are skilled, experienced, and qualified professionals.
Clinical Supervision
Supervision is a special type of professional support that develops and enhances the practice of professionals, which keeps them and their clients ethically safe and upskilled. All our providers are committed to receiving clinical supervision on an ongoing basis.
Equine Therapy
Equine therapy has been used to treat anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, addiction, depression, PTSD and many other mental health conditions, and, in addition to targeting symptoms of those disorders, is theorized to help people build confidence, self-awareness, and empathy.
Private Therapy Services
At South Coast Psychology, our providers offer evidence-based, culturally grounded and compassionate care to support you at your own pace. Private sessions provide flexible, timely support without the requirements of external funding or referrals.